Is there a "liberal" Bible?

Question

I've read that many evangelicals like the NIV and conservatives also prefer the NASB.

I know there's no way to change the message of the Bible and it does have many conservative views...but is there a certain translation that liberals prefer to read?

I don't really want a Bible that leaves stuff out. I think any Bible I read will support my own liberal beliefs, because every Bible comes with a New Testament.

I was just curious if OTHER liberals preferred a certain version...since Evangelicals/Conservatives seem to prefer some over others.

Answer 1

If and when you find out, please - let us know???

Answer 2

There is really only one. That is the original manuscripts in the Hebrew, Greek, and Chaldee, along with the Massorah, which is
basically the footnotes from all the New Testament writings.
You want a Bible geared to a particular thinking of a particular group. There is only
one thinking of Biblical writings, and its Gods thinking. It sounds like you want a "soothsayers bible", where someone might take the Bible and write it in a way that would say soothing words to you.
Instead of telling you the truth, it could tell
you those things that would be soothing to
your ears. The truth is a knife that cuts both
ways. You can find deception and soothsayers all over the place in this world today. All the lies you might ever wish for are available to you, and I'm sure they would make you feel better about yourself.
The only problem is that a lie is always a lie no matter how soothing it might sound.
Scripture is for truth, and you have to accept the truth when it tells you that maybe
what you're doing is not a good idea.
I am not tramping on your liberal ideals,
I am only saying that if something is right,
its right, and if something is wrong, change
it. Don't change the truth, change the problem and make it line up with the truth.
You'll be alot better off in the end.

Answer 3

The one you might want to try is the "Jefferson Bible". It was edited by Thomas Jefferson, who rejected the miracles and many other events in the Bible, but still felt it had some good moral ideas. So he made a "translation" which cuts much of the material that he found ridiculous, and only keeps the moral teachings with which he agreed. So it would probably be the closest thing to a "liberal" Bible.

All Bible translations are made from the same Hebrew and Greek texts. So they all contain the same thing. There are difference in style (such as the NIV which uses English that is equally acceptable in both Britain and America) so it avoids an words unique to either country, or the "Good News", which is designed for people who use English as a second language so it uses very simple wording and short sentences, or the NASB which is a very literal word-for-word strict translation but sometimes difficult to read because of grammar differences between the languages.

But there is not translation done specially to support "conservative" or "liberal" ideas. (Or perhaps I should say no accepted cholarly translation - because somebody somewhere has probably done a "rogue" translation altered to support one of those ideals - such as Jefferson).

Answer 4

I don't know about different denomonations prefering different translations. I'm a Methodist and we have everything from the Good New Bible to the King James Version in the church. They usually read the Revised Standard Version in the puplpet though. I personally own three different translations. It's neat to compare the way they're translated and how the phrases change but the message always stays the same.

If you're looking for a Bible for you own personal use find one that you can easily understand, don't base it on what other people say. If you're really interested get a good study Bible, which has annotations and historical notes.

Answer 5

If you learn about the History behind the Bible you'll find out that Christ's teachings were about as liberal as they come at the time. At the time the Pharisees followed a strict set of laws (according to a warped version of the law of Moses.) And the people were held to traditions that were considered law. Christ was the one that came in and taught truth about how it should be.

Of course, he was still very, very conservative according to our time.

Answer 6

The bible was written by no less Than 60 writers over a period of centuries. Even the parts about Jesus were written fifty or more years after his death. All of it was a couple thousand years ago. Anything you extrapolate from a work like that is always going to be subjective at best, more like speculative. Just think, use reason...does any of it sound real or wishful thinking by desperate people?

Answer 7

Check the net for Thomas Jefferson's Bible .He re wrote the Bible and took out all the miracles.Now that's liberal!

Answer 8

The Bible message is the same in all translations. 'Message' Bible is translated with 'street language'. It is very enjoyable to me. :)

However, I like NIV study Bible the best. : )

Answer 9

Try the Jefferson Bible. Not completely "liberal" but it does remove all of the mysticism.

Answer 10

Isn't that kind of telling, that there are different Bibles for different groups, and different translations to fit people's needs and likes? The Bible is a wonderful novel, written by man for man. It's entertainment, a bit of history, a lot of loose interpretation and hyperbole. It makes me laugh that people can pick and choose which Bible they want to believe, based on their political leanings. heheh

Answer 11

nobody reads the bible the same way, nobody agrees what it says or means. That's why there are so many denominations.
It can say whatever you want it to say.